Hearing Wrap Up: Identifying Duplicative and Redundant Programs Within the Federal Government
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The 2015 Duplication Report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), identifies areas of duplication, overlap, and fragmentation in federal programs. It also outlines opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancements. This year’s report includes 66recommended actions to improve 24 areas within the federal government that operate ineffectively or inefficiently.
Topics in the 2015 Report:
| Fragmentation, Overlap, or Duplication 1. EPA’s and FDA’s Laboratory Inspections 2. Ground Radar & Guided Munitions Programs 3. Weapon System Milestone Decision Process 4. Consumer Product Safety Oversight 5. Nonemergency Medical Transportation 6. DOD Family Health Plan 7. Medicare Post-payment Claims Reviews 8. Serious Mental Illness Programs 9. Vulnerability Assessments of Critical Infrastructure 10. DHS Processing of FOIA Requests 11. Federal and States’ Export Promotion 12. Oceanic & Atmospheric Observing Systems Portfolio |
Cost Savings or Revenue Enhancement 13. Defense Facilities Consolidation & Disposal 14. DOD Headquarters Reductions & Workforce Requirements 15. Strategic Petroleum Reserve 16. U.S. Enrichment Corporation Fund 17. Tax Policies and Enforcement 18. DOD TRICARE Improper Payments 19. Medicare Payments to Certain Cancer Hospitals 20. State Medicaid Sources of Funds 21. Children’s Disability Reviews 22. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Fraud & Abuse 23. Federal Software Licenses 24. Disaster Relief Fund Administrative Costs |
FRAGMENTATION: According to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, the GAO considers programs or activities to be fragmented when more than one federal agency, or more than one organization within an agency is involved in the same broad area of national need, which may result in inefficiencies in how the government delivers services.
EXAMPLE: The GAO found that oversight of consumer product safety involves at least 20 federal agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), resulting in fragmented oversight across agencies. This can result in unclear roles and potential regulatory gaps.
OVERLAP: According to the GAO, this occurs when multiple agencies or programs have similar goals, engage in similar activities or strategies to achieve them, or target similar beneficiaries.
EXAMPLE: Forty-two programs across six different federal departments provide nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) to individuals who cannot provide their own transportation due to age, disability, or income constraints. The GAO found a number of challenges to coordination for NEMT programs.
DUPLICATION: According to the GAO, this occurs when two or more agencies or programs are engaged in the same activities or provide the same services to the same beneficiaries.
EXAMPLE: The U.S. Family Health Plan (USFHP), a statutorily required component of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Military Health System, and TRICARE Prime offer the same benefits to military beneficiaries.
SUCCESSES FROM REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
Despite only 37% of the total recommendations being implemented since 2011, the GAO estimates that these changes have resulted in nearly $20 billion in savings within the federal government. With continued progress, the GAO estimates that the federal government could realize an additional $80 billion in financial benefits by 2023.